Preview of the NBA 2021-22 season over Brooklyn Nets. Data, results from the previous season, a look at their squad and future free agents, the objectives of the course, the player to watch and a forecast on the franchise.
Brooklyn Nets
- Balance 2020-21: 48-24 (2nd in the East, qualified for playoffs)
- Coach: Steve Nash (2nd season on the bench)
- Most important free agents in 2022: James Harden, Kyrie Irving and Patty Mills (all with player option); Blake Griffin, LaMarcus Aldridge, James Johnson, Paul Millsap, and Bruce Brown.
- History: The most important players in the history of the Brooklyn Nets.
Template
- Market movements: Trade for Jevon Carter and signings of Paul Millsap, LaMarcus Aldridge, Patty Mills and DeAndre ‘Bembry; Blake Griffin, Bruce Brown and Kevin Durant renewals (all moves here).
- Backcourt: Joe Harris, James Harden, Patty Mills, David Duke, Cameron Thomas, Bruce Brown y Kyrie Irving.
- Frontcourt: DeAndre’ Bembry, Devontae Cacok, Blake Griffin, James Johnson, Nicolas Claxton, Kessler Edwards, Kevin Durant, LaMarcus Aldridge y Paul Millsap.
This is how they face the season
The mega-project that Sean Marks has built in Brooklyn is entering its second year with the goal of conquering the first title in the history of the franchise. However, after being eliminated in extremis in the last playoffs and before the start of the 2021-22 season, they have run into another obstacle in their way: Kyrie Irving.
The still Nets player has refused to be vaccinated against COVID-19, and recently manager Sean Marks with the support of owner Joe Tsai has removed him from the team until he decides to comply with the laws required by the State of New York. At first he was only going to miss the games played at Barclays Center, Madison Square Garden and Chase Center, but with Marks’ decision, he will not be able to dress short, and it is not clear what part of his salary (35 million dollars) you will lose, until you decide to get vaccinated, but this is an issue that the NBA and NBPA have not yet resolved.
While Irving and his inner circle value what is most important to them and to public health, the rest of his teammates can focus on winning games and finishing at the top of the rankings. Irving’s loss will be important, but let’s remember that these Nets have enough quality to replace him with full guarantees.
Kevin Durant will be the main reference for these Nets. The forward has closed his renovation for 4 years and 198 million dollars after starring in a great return to the parks. Durántula overcame a very serious injury to perform at a superlative level and stay very close to playing the Conference Finals (4-3).
In that tie against the Bucks and with a James Harden at half throttle, he averaged 27 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game. In addition, he had percentages of scandal with 53% in field goals and an excellent 46% in triples. If Durant continues with his Super Saiyan level and Harden forgets the physical problems that he dragged during the past playoffs, the ceiling for this team is very high even with Irving’s absence.
James Harden’s situation was also somewhat peculiar, as he forced his trade from the Houston Rockets and came out of shape. It was difficult for ‘La Barba’ to get into the rhythm of the competition, but finally he made it very clear how important it would be for Steve Nash’s scheme with his great offensive repertoire and his vision of the game.
In addition to their three stars, New Yorkers have a handful of secondary players who will be very decisive in the future of the regular season. Irving’s absence practically changes the entire game. Harden will be the full-time game organizer and we imagine Nash will bet on Bruce Brown to add defense to the quintet.
It will be completed by Joe Harris, Kevin Durant and a false center like Nicolas Claxton or LaMarcus Aldridge. It should be remembered that the interior veteran received the medical ‘OK’ to return to the parks and will try to conquer the first ring of his career. In the same situation are others like Blake Griffin or the signing of Paul Millsap. They have also added in the summer the always interesting Patty Mills, James Johnson, De’Andre Bembry or the transfer for Jevon Carter.
Another option that the Nets can handle for much of the season or playoffs is a full quintet of ‘short’ with Brown, Harden, Irving if he comes back, Harris and Durant as five.
What is very clear is that despite Irving’s sensitive loss these Nets have a good repertoire of players to try to snatch the best record in the East from the Bucks, and also the throne of the Conference. Durant and Harden form a superlative tandem that, surrounded by the secondary they treasure, are highly trained to achieve their ultimate goal.
The player to watch
Kevin Durant is that player who is able to get to a team and automatically make it a candidate for the title. Durántula is so extremely good that, after two years in the dry dock due to a serious injury, he returned to the slopes as nothing had happened to him. Currently very few would be able to have such a round, but this player is very special. In his hands he has a great offensive repertoire capable of hammering you from any position, either from the outside or in the paint. His great size and long arms make him practically indefensible in today’s basketball and if he does not suffer any setback, they are called to fight for the MVP of the league.
Against the Bucks he came very close to eliminating those who would later be league champions. In the Semifinals he scored 30 points or more in four games; he treasured four double-doubles and one triple-double; and his best performance resulted in 49 points, 17 rebounds and 10 assists. Big words.
NBA preview 2021-22 Brooklyn Nets, prediction
Elio Martínez, director of Trends Wide, leaves a personal and subjective forecast on what he thinks each franchise will do during the season in the NBA 2021-22 preview.
What do I put here? As I write these lines, Irving’s situation is far from resolved and we do not know if he will play this year with the Nets, with another team (there are already transfer rumors) or with anyone. As something I have to publish, here I go. With Durant and Harden it gives to win a ring, so I consider it unlikely that this squad, quite deep even with the absence of Uncle Drew, will finish lower than second place during the season. regular season if both are not seriously injured.
Previous team analyzed: Denver Nuggets. Next team: Phoenix Suns.
(Cover photo: Elsa / Getty Images)
